Sales & Marketing

A new brand identity now adorns the GSI Commerce business eBay acquired two years ago for $2.4 billion.

Quebec, Canada -- Canadian home-improvement chain Rona Inc. said Thursday it has reached an agreement to sell off its plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning business to Emco Corp. in a deal worth about $207 million.

The division sells plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to commercial and industrial construction customers. The move is expected to add additional financial stability to the company, which is in the midst of a three-year turnaround plan.

CINCINNATI — Aero Fulfillment Services, a national provider of e-commerce fulfillment solutions, is bringing back Jamie Hudgens, this time as product manager for Aero’s new freight management service, SmartShip.

Hudgens was most recently a regional director for the East Coast at Sunburst Analysis, advising clients on cost reduction. He was director of business development for Aero from 2005-2009. In his new role, Hudgens will build out the service to include inbound, outbound, LTL, container, rail and small parcel freight services. 

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores has agreed to pay a $3.9 million fine to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for neglecting to inform the commission within a mandated 24-hour period that it sold or stocked in stores roughly 23,000 pieces of children’s apparel with drawstrings located at the neck or waist between January 2009 and February 2012. Sales of children’s clothing with these types of drawstrings has been officially banned in the U.S. since 2011 and subject to voluntary restrictions since 1996.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The experience of air travel has declined over the years, but the retail experience at airports has consistently been elevated as retailers look for new opportunities, such as this newly renovated Tom Bradley International Terminal, featuring 19 retail stores, at the western gateway to the U.S.

Located on the mall’s second-floor veranda, the 8,500-sq.-ft. store puts a California spin on the brand’s preppy, nautically-inspired heritage. A sunlit glass façade and a central skylight draws natural light into the space. The interior décor includes nostalgia-oriented custom art pieces and graphic prints. A 1964 Volkswagen Bug adds to the atmosphere.

Design: Tommy Hilfiger Store Planning, New York

Architect: O'Neil Langan Architects, New York

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Ikea was joined by journalist and television host Lisa Ling to mark its third annual Life Improvement Project with a $50,000 donation to Save the Children’s early education programs.

In addition to the donation, Ikea provided home furnishings, design advice and manpower to help make over a Family Head Start/Early Learn location in Brooklyn, N.Y., a Save the Children-supported facility which was affected by Hurricane Sandy.

CINCINNATI -- The Kroger Co. announced the establishment of two new supermarket divisions, a Nashville division and a Louisville division.

"Opportunities for growth in Tennessee, northern Alabama, Kentucky, and Southern Illinois and Indiana inspired us to take this path," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's president and chief operating officer. "We believe this move will enable our associates to do what they do best – meet the needs of our local customers and neighbors, our communities, and each other."